Recipe for Disaster???

“Satan gives Adam an apple, and takes away Paradise. 

Therefore in all temptations let us consider not what he offers, but what we shall lose.”  Richard Sibbes

Many of us enjoy making some special dish at Christmas. It’s the only time of year that I make it, but at Christmas I love to make Chex Mix. While you can buy Chex Mix, it’s just not the same. And it’s very simple to make, yet you must be very conscientious about not letting it stay in the oven too long or it will burn. Not paying attention is a recipe for disaster.

  Christmas can be a recipe for disaster, a moral one. Though the message underlying Christmas is the Savior’s birth, it’s too easily set aside. Christmas, rather than being spiritually driven becomes emotionally driven.

  Hallmark cashes in on emotionalism, raking in over half a billion from their Christmas movies. Some 100 million watch Hallmark during the holidays, making it the most-watched cable network among 25-to-54-year-old women. Christmas is the season of feelings.

  At this time of year many of us are emotionally moved by our favorite Christmas songs. I know that I am. Silent Night or I’ll Be Home For Christmas, and many others can cause my eyes to mist over.

  For a myriad of reasons the holidays result in us being more emotionally driven, rather than spiritually, volitionally or intellectually driven. Please understand, God designed us with feelings. Yet, when our emotions are in the driver’s seat, we’re on dangerous turf. Since the Garden, Satan has used our emotions against us, gaining entry into our lives. Scripture refers to this as the “lust of the flesh” (1 Jn 2:15). Jesus resisted this attack in Matthew 4 and we can too, but we must be biblically wise.  

  Many of us are vulnerable because the season is so emotionally charged. If we’re not spiritually prepared, holiday parties can be fraught with moral danger carrying lifetime wreckage. The statistics are tragic! In a survey conducted by Men’s Health magazine 44% of the males said they’d had an affair with a co-worker at a holiday office party at least once in their life. A survey conducted by Canon revealed that 1/3 of the workers either kissed a co-worker or ended-up going home with them after the company party. Nearly 25% of the female employees in one study said their boss made a pass at them during the Christmas party.

  But it’s not just workplace parties that can make us more susceptible to immorality. Family and neighborhood parties can be spiritually deadly, too.

  The Bible contains horrible accounts of familial sexual sin. Amnon raped his half-sister, Tamar (2 Sam. 13). Lot’s daughters conspired to get him drunk so they could sleep with him (Gen. 19). Noah was oblivious that he was publicly naked after becoming inebriated, losing his family’s respect (Gen. 9). It’s part of why God’s Word commands us: “You shall not covet your neighbor’s…wife, or his male servant, or his female servant.”

  God though doesn’t want a bunch of killjoys. His will for us isn’t some stained glass cave. For example, over 100 people are killed in car accidents each day. It doesn’t mean we should trade in our car for a horse and buggy.

  Celebration is a vital part of life. The people of God in the Old Testament celebrated with regular festivals. One of Jesus’ greatest stories (Luke 15:11-31) was of a huge celebration, when the prodigal son returned and his Dad said, “Let’s have a feast and celebrate.” Holiday parties are great Kingdom opportunities. Here are some suggestions to help you keep them Christ-honoring.

  If you’re married (and if possible), take your spouse. Marriage is God’s gift to us. It’s heartbreaking that so many have never seen a healthy marriage, much less a Christian one. We’re to be distinctly different in our marriage, not because we’re nice…but because we’re redeemed.

  It’s not a sin to drink. It’s a sin to be intoxicated. Jesus created wine at a wedding. It wasn’t the cheap stuff. Good food and wine are God-given pleasures, as is intimacy in marriage. Yet, Scripture prohibits drunkenness.

  Be a good leaver. At the first company Christmas party that I intended, the foreman became a drunken fool. It grew worse as the night went on. I’ve found that if I leave early, I rarely see that. Then, my friends are not embarrassed the next day at things they said or did in front of me.

  Remember WHO you represent. We’re ambassadors for Christ (2 Cor. 5:20). It’s not a Sunday gig. We’re 24-7, round the clock representatives of our Savior, whatever the occasion and whoever we’re with. Our words and actions reflect on King Jesus. Have a great time, yet never at His expense.

  Commit the event to the Lord beforehand. Before we go, we can do spiritual groundwork. You can pray for God’s blessing over the festivities, the safety of those who take part and for grace as you seek to be salt and light. Ask Him to help you be a channel of His love and a fountain of encouragement and blessing to all who will attend, even the wait staff. 

  Speak up yet speak wisely. These events can be times for loose lips and dumb deeds. Often all it takes is redirecting a gossipy or cruel conversation about someone absent. A voice of caution might keep someone from doing something they’ll regret later and possibly keep someone from getting hurt or someone’s property being seriously damaged.

  Graciously share Who’s birthday is being celebrated. It’s not the time to climb on a table and preach. Yet, I’ve found that talking about the Savior is more of a natural talking point at Christmas. These parties are when you may find yourself talking to someone you don’t normally interact with and about more meaningful things than the weather. For me, it can be something simple like discovering the holidays are difficult for them or they’re carrying a burden, and assuring them I’ll be praying for them. Social events have often been the start of a lifelong friendship for me.

  Have fun! “A merry heart does good like medicine” (Prov. 17:22). I have to think that Jesus was pleasant to be around. Why else was He invited to so many parties? God doesn’t want us to be sour grapes, but people of His grace. Being Christlike means being incarnational like Jesus. Our Lord came into this world as one of us and wants us to be part of ours, making a difference. Even Christmas parties are an opportunity to serve Him!

Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address.